Press Release

UNICEF Statement on the Reported Killing of Children in Aleppo

UNICEF is horrified by reports of a bombing raid in Aleppo that may have killed as many as 28 children. Reports say the attack took place on Sunday, December 15, when improvised bombs were dropped from helicopters on parts of Aleppo city, in northern Syria. The reports say between 14 and 28 children were killed.

Attributable to Maria Calivis, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa

AMMAN, Jordan (December 16, 2013) UNICEF is horrified by reports of a bombing raid in Aleppo that may have killed as many as 28 children.

Reports say the attack took place on Sunday, December 15, when improvised bombs were dropped from helicopters on parts of Aleppo city, in northern Syria. The reports say between 14 and 28 children were killed.

It is absolutely unacceptable for children to be targeted in this manner, whether through the use of indiscriminate weapons resulting in mass casualties, or by any other means.

UNICEF has repeatedly called upon all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect all civilians, including children, from the conflict and we strongly reiterate that call again today.

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About UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to save and improve children’s lives, providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF’s work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when zero children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood.

For additional information, please contact:

Susannah Masur, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 212.880.9146, smasur@unicefusa.org